Author: Lizajane

Rating: PG (language)

Classification: Buffy/Spike

Feedback: Yes, please! You can find me at lizajaneok@hotmail.com.

Spoilers: Takes place in season 7 after “Selfless.”

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon. I’m just borrowing.

Distribution: Wherever. Please make sure my name’s on it and you notify me beforehand. J

Summary: Buffy and Spike are kidnapped. Who will save them?

Note: This is my first piece of fan fiction and is a response to a challenge. The challenge is listed at the end of this little fic. Hope you enjoy!

“Things never really change.” Buffy mused as she fought another vampire in the alley near the Bronze. However, this vampire was giving her some problems. Slaying rarely took her this long any more.

She ducked as the surprisingly quick and powerful vamp grabbed a broken board and swung at her. She swept her leg under him trying to knock him off his feet. Sweating freely, he leapt back, dropped his weapon and crouched, ready to pounce. As the vampire dove for her, Buffy straightened and sent him flying with a roundhouse kick to the jaw.

As she strode over to the fatigued and barely conscious demon, she noticed a tear in her lilac blouse.

“That was my favorite shirt!” she said testily as she plunged Mr. Pointy into the vamp’s chest and watched the dust fly.

She looked down and sighed. This was not the first time she would show up late and with clothes a little worse for the wearing.

The gang was meeting her at the Bronze tonight for some much needed relaxation. Everything had been so intense over the past few months.

Xander and Anya’s break-up, the revelation of her and Spike’s relationship, former relationship she reminded herself, Tara’s death, Willow’s descent into the darkness and return, Giles’ continued absence and Spike’s current….issues, among other things, had been tough on all of them. They deserved some fun, she thought.

Buffy put on her best party smile as she walked through the doors of the Bronze and scanned the crowd for them.

She saw Dawn, Willow and Xander dancing in the crowd to a song with a pulsing beat and smiled even wider.

* * *

The voices were almost too much to bear. His mind was screaming, “Stop! Slow down! Too much!”

Spike sat on his heels in the basement of the newly renovated and re-opened Sunnydale High School. He rocked back and forth clutching his swimming head.

Just as the voices became too much to bear, he heard her name. “Buffy…” the voice breathed. Spike snapped to attention. What the bloody hell?

* * *

Buffy, Willow, Dawn and Xander sat at a table in the Bronze chatting. Dawn was regaling them with more tales of high school on the Hellmouth when Buffy saw him. He was wearing the deep blue shirt and black jeans that he had been wearing the last time she saw him. She had to admit he was incredibly attractive she thought ruefully.

She tensed as Spike made a beeline for their table. Buffy couldn’t help but wonder if this would be Sane Spike or Psycho Spike striding towards her.

“Buffy we need to talk,” Spike said. He halted in front of their table while they all eyed him a little suspiciously.

Before anyone else could respond, Buffy jumped up and grabbed Spike by the arm.

“I’ll be right back,” she said looking each of them in the eye before dragging Spike towards the back door.

As they stepped out of the Bronze and into the alley, Buffy released Spike’s arm gently, looked into his eyes and asked softly, “What’s up?”

Spike stood rooted to the spot and drowning in her beautiful green eyes for a moment before he shook himself and said, “I think you’re in danger.”

Buffy smirked. “So, what else is new? This is Sunnydale. You know, demon’s Mecca?”

Spike smiled and said, “True, but this is may be a little different, pet.” He sobered. “I got a message tonight. You know I’ve been struggling with these pesky little voices, right? A new voice came through. A voice with a vision…”

Spike’s voice trailed off and he looked down at the ground, shifting from one foot to the other.

Buffy waited a moment and then put her hands on her hips. “Okay, you’re beginning to creep me out, what with all the avoidy-ness. Just tell me.”

Spike looked back up and caught Buffy’s eyes. “I got a visit from Glinda tonight.”

Buffy blinked at him in confusion. “Glinda?”

“Tara,” Spike replied.

Buffy’s jaw dropped. She took Spike soothingly by the arm. “T-T-Tara? Spike, she died, remember?” Buffy said softly staring into his azure eyes.

“I know, luv, but I saw her tonight as plain as I see you here. I think she came back to warn me about the danger you’re going to be facing,” Spike replied.

Buffy dropped her hand and just looked at him in amazement.

“Tara told me that a new demon has risen in Sunnydale. It uses powerful magicks. I couldn’t get many details but she said that your Slayer strength would be no match for it,” he continued.

Buffy took a moment to take in all she had just heard. Tara? she thought. She looked at Spike and asked, “What makes you think that this voice-vision thingy was really a message and not just….well….” Her voice trailed off.

Spike smiled. “You mean not just more insanity?” He shook his head and said thoughtfully, “It did occur to me that this was just more of the same old craziness. But this was so different, Buffy.” He looked at her earnestly. “I don’t know why Tara would come to me in a vision. I just know that I saw her and I heard her. And I know that I believe it was her.”

Buffy cocked her head slightly and looked at him intently. She had always trusted Spike and his instincts. Nothing that had happened had changed that.

After a moment, Buffy took Spike’s hand, smiled and said, “Let’s go get the gang.”

As soon as Buffy turned toward the door, she heard strange chanting. Spike’s shocked, worried face was the last thing she saw as her mind slipped into unconsciousness.

* * *

“How long has she been gone?” Xander could barely keep his seat.

“Five minutes,” Willow replied. “About a half-second since the last time you asked.” Willow smiled kindly at her oldest and dearest friend. “I think we should give them another few minutes before we call in the cavalry.”

“Will, with Spike’s recent trip to Looneyville, I’d feel better if Buffy weren’t alone with him.” Xander started bouncing his leg nervously and glanced toward the back of the Bronze again.

Dawn looked down at the table and sipped her Coke. She had been having such a hard time reconciling Spike’s attempted rape of her sister with the person that she had so trusted and cared for. Buffy had talked to her a lot over the summer about Spike. She had told Dawn that she had severely mistreated Spike and that her mistreatment pushed him into a very dark place. That didn’t excuse him. It just helped them both understand why he had acted so extremely. Dawn remembered the tears on Buffy’s cheeks as she recounted how she had even told Spike that he was “beneath” her. Dawn was still very angry at Spike, though, and wanted to protect Buffy from any pain. Dawn wasn’t sure if Buffy knew how much she really loved and looked up to her. More than anything, Dawn trusted her sister, even with Spike. This past summer had changed a lot of things between them.

After another five minutes, Xander couldn’t contain himself any longer. Even Willow and Dawn were now becoming concerned.

* * *

Buffy opened her eyes slowly. Her head pounded and she felt like she had been trampled by a herd of elephants. As her eyes began to focus, she noticed that she was lying on a cold, stone floor and that the lights were very dim. She rubbed her eyes and sat up slowly.

She had begun to gather her wits when she heard a low moan. She turned to see Spike stirring directly under one of the two torches illuminating the small space.

As Spike sat up, Buffy scrambled over to him. “Spike! Are you hurt?” Buffy was unnerved.

Spike shook his head a couple of times and looked at her with concern. “Buffy? Are you alright, pet?”

She smiled and said softly, “I asked you first.”

Spike chuckled. “So you did, luv. I’m not hurt. Just one hell of a headache. How ‘bout you?”

“My head’s pretty achy too. I’m guessing we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.” She grinned as they both stood to get a better look at their new abode.

They began to explore their cell, for that is what it was. It turned out to be a square stone box, approximately ten feet by ten feet with a steel door that had a small closed window toward the top. The cell did contain a crude cot with a couple of blankets and a pillow. A small half wall enclosed a toilet and sink. Other than the door, neither of them could discern any means of exit.

They met back in the middle of the room, worry etching their features. As Buffy opened her mouth to speak, the door began to creak open as loudly as if it had never been used before.

Buffy and Spike whirled around, muscles tensed and ready to fight.

* * *

“Buffy! Spike!” Dawn’s voice was steadily rising as panic gripped her. There was no sign of her sister or the vampire in the alley.

She turned to look at Willow and Xander. Xander was striding back from his inspection of the alley farther down the block. “No sign of them or a struggle.” He looked at Dawn with frustration and concern.

Willow had been standing in the same spot since she entered the alleyway. Her face was pale and she had begun to shake.

“Willow?” Dawn was starting to freak out. She could see the anxiety in both Willow and Xander.

Xander approached Willow. “Will. What’s goin’ on?”

Willow looked at Xander and then at Dawn. “Big, dark magick. I can feel it. This is where Buffy disappeared.” She looked awkwardly at her friends. “Giles was right. It’s all connected and I can feel the disturbance. Something happened on this spot. I’m sorry, Dawnie, but I think something or someone used dark magick here and that Buffy, and even Spike, were affected.”

Dawn paled and glanced at Xander. She could sense his and Willow’s fear. “It’s bad isn’t it?” she whispered.

Willow and Xander looked at Dawn and shook themselves. Time to be the grown-ups.

Xander stepped over to Dawn and put his arms around her. “Yes, Dawnster, I think it might be bad but we’ll figure this out. Don’t worry.”

* * *

As soon as the door opened, Buffy and Spike made a dash for it. At it’s entrance, they were both thrown back as if they had hit a brick wall.

“Bloody hell,” Spike mumbled as he picked himself up.

Buffy was already up and at the entrance trying to figure out what had happened.

Spike rose to join her as a low, calm voice emanating from the back of the room said, “It’s no use, children. That barrier will not be broken by either of you.”

Buffy and Spike spun around to see a small man with totally white eyes smiling indulgently at them. He was about the same height as Buffy and almost as slight. He was dressed in the brown robes of a monk but had thin, silver hair hanging past his shoulders.

Buffy and Spike looked at each other and with an unspoken signal, jumped for the small man. Before they could reach him they hit the same kind of invisible barrier that protected the door.

As they heard the man cackle, they both stood up and brushed themselves off.

“Okay, Friar Tuck, what is going on?!? Oh! And just for the record, I’m going to kick your ass.” Buffy smiled tightly.

Spike watched the Slayer and couldn’t help but grin. Her warrior spirit was one of the many things he loved about her.

The small man’s smile became even wider. “I don’t think so. But I do understand the inclination.” He blinked his milky eyes and continued. “I’m so glad to finally meet you, Miss Summers. You are a very important person and I’m not talking about your slaying abilities.” He folded his hands in front of him and regarded them silently.

“Okay, you bloody wanker. What is all this about? We have things to do, people to see and we can’t be hanging about here much longer.” Spike eyed the small man intently trying to find some clue to their situation.

The small man frowned at Spike. “William the Bloody…Your arrival here was unexpected but I’ll find a use for you yet. Or kill you. Either way makes no difference in my plans.”

“Enough of the chitchat. Tell us who you are and then start with the explaining,” Buffy demanded with her hands on her hips.

“Impatient, aren’t we? Well, I don’t see any harm in telling you both my name and your fate. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Darius and, Miss Summers, I have brought you here to help me. At the height of the next full moon, you are going to give me a power that, when combined with my others, will make me the most formidable force in this, or any other, dimension.” Darius’ eyes got wide and his smile became a sneer.

Buffy began to snicker. “You don’t honestly think that I would help you, right? I mean, I fight your kind. Slayer, remember?”

Spike rolled his eyes at Darius as Buffy continued laughing. “You don’t know much about Slayers, do you, mate?”

Darius roared, cutting off Buffy’s giggles. “All you need to do to help me, Slayer, is to die!”

* * *

Back on Rovello Drive, Xander, Willow and Dawn sat around the dining room table surrounded by books. They had been researching for hours and were still no closer to figuring out what had happened to Buffy and Spike.

Fatigue had begun to set in and they were all yawning. Yet none of them wanted to stop until they had found some clue to Buffy’s disappearance.

Dawn’s eyelids began to droop as she looked through “Demonic Disturbances” for the third time. Her elbow slid down onto the table while she tried to hold her head up with her hand. As she flipped through the familiar pages, her eyes slipped closed and her head sunk to the table.

“Poor Dawnie.” Willow whispered to Xander. “She’s had such a rough night. Why don’t we take a break and let her catch a quick nap?”

Willow and Xander stood, stretching, and headed into the kitchen. Handing Xander a soda and taking one for herself, Willow said, “Xander, this is not going well. I haven’t seen anything in that pile of books that will help us figure out what happened to Buffy and Spike.” She gulped her soda, brows knit in annoyance.

Xander put his hand on her shoulder. “We just have to keep trying, Will. I know we’ll find something.”

They walked into the living room and flopped down on the sofa. They were both exhausted and quickly became consumed by drowsiness despite the liquid caffeine in their soda cans. As their eyelids began to sag, they heard a sound like a song on the breeze. “Willow….Xander….”

They both bolted upright and looked at each other in shock. “Xander, you heard that right?” Willow murmured intently. Xander just nodded his head.

A light began to shimmer before them and they both stared at it in alarm. The light took form and they found themselves looking at Tara. She was bathed in a pale yellow light and her eyes were filled with love and wisdom.

“Oh my goddess! Tara! Is it really you?!?” Willow was almost breathless with astonishment.

Xander glanced at Willow with concern and amazement.

“Hello, my heart.” Tara’s melodic voice washed over them. “I don’t have much time and there’s so much I want to say.” Tears filled Tara’s enormous eyes as she regarded the redhead. “First, dearest, I must tell you about Buffy and Spike. They have been captured by Darius. He is a demon and a wizard, alive since the ancient ones roamed this earth. He has always been driven by a lust for power. As he cultivated his magical power, the other demons became jealous and afraid so they trapped him in a magical prison in another dimension. Somehow, he got out and has recently begun to accumulate power again. He wants Buffy in order to tap into the primordial energy of the slayer lineage. The ritual he plans will be conducted during the height of the full moon. That’s tomorrow night. In order to find Buffy and Spike, you will have to use magic, my love. You don’t have much time. If Darius captures Buffy’s lifeforce, he will reign over this dimension and create a hell on earth.”

Xander and Willow both stared wide-eyed as Tara’s apparent apprehension melted and she smiled once more. Tara looked at Xander. “I have a message for you, my dear friend.” Xander looked startled. “Don’t give up hope of love. You will find such joy that your heart will be filled for this entire lifetime.”

She smiled softly as Xander’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “Thank you, Tara. I miss you,” he whispered.

Tara’s eyes swung back to Willow’s. “My darling Willow, I’ve grieved leaving you as I know you’ve grieved my passing. But know that I love you and will always be with you. Let go of your guilt. You deserve happiness.”

Tara’s form grew fainter as Willow began to sob. “I love you, Tara! Please don’t leave me again!”

Tara beamed at Willow. “I’m not leaving you, my love. I’ll be in your heart, always. And I’ll be waiting for you here to begin our cycle of love again. Find peace and learn to live again.” Tara faded completely as they heard her whisper, “Tell Dawn that I love her….”

* * *

Buffy and Spike sat on the chilly stone floor with their backs against opposite walls looking at each other.

“Well,” Buffy snarked, “at least my life is never boring.”

Spike smiled but his face was still etched with worry. “No. But I know that you‘ve yearned for ‘boring’ in the past. Do you still?”

Buffy gazed at him deeply. “You really pay attention, don’t you?”

Spike shrugged. “I always pay attention to you.”

Buffy smiled softly. She had missed him so much over the summer. Even though their relationship had spiraled out of control, he was the one she trusted to understand and love her always. “I know,” she sighed. “Spike, I’m a little scared. How do I fight a guy who’s all hopped up on that old black magic? I tried fighting dark, veiny Willow and she almost got the best of me. This guy’s not just interested in kicking ‘every square inch of my ass.’ He means to kill me.”

Spike looked at her fiercely. “He’ll bloody well have to get through me first.”

Buffy crawled over and sat next to Spike. “Thank you but I don’t know that you would do any better.”

Spike turned his head toward her and feigned offense while smiling broadly. “What? Don’t think I could take the little pipsqueak?”

Buffy giggled and then said seriously. “Spike the full moon is tomorrow night. What are we going to do?”

Spike put his arm around her shoulders and she dropped her head onto his collarbone. “We’ll do what we always do, luv. Find a way to win.”

* * *

Sunrise is only about an hour away, Xander thought as he drove a now alert Dawn and visibly shaken Willow the three miles across Sunnydale to Anya’s apartment. After waking Dawn and filling her in on the information that Tara had passed on, they still had been unable to find any useful information on how to kill Darius, just references that told them what a fearsome opponent he had been during ancient times. Dawn had come up with the idea of talking to Anya. A thousand-year-old vengeance demon tends to pick up a lot of information during her travels.

“I so can’t believe I slept through Tara’s visit! I miss her so much!” Dawn was teary-eyed at the thought of the woman who had been her confidante and most constant friend.

Willow reached behind the seat and patted Dawn’s leg. “She didn’t have much time, Dawnie, but she did remember to say she loved you.” Willow fought the sobs that threatened to choke her.

Dawn grasped Willow’s hand. “I’m sorry, Willow. I know how hard that must have been on you. You loved each other so much.”

Tears slipped down Willow’s pale cheeks as she nodded.

Xander pulled the car up to the curb and parked. “Well, here we are, ladies. I suppose we should go on up.” He gave a watery smile to Dawn and Willow. He had really cared for Tara, too. She had made Willow happier than anyone ever had and she had been a true friend to Buffy and all of the Scoobies, including Spike. Her death was still an open wound on all of their souls.

They walked up the sidewalk to Anya’s door with Dawn and Willow holding hands and trying to offer each other comfort. Xander rapped twice on the door and waited for an answer.

Anya yanked open the door and eyed them all apprehensively. “To what do I owe this honor?” she said flatly. She tried to be hostile but couldn’t help remembering all that they had meant to her.

Willow stepped up and replied, “Anya, we need your help.”

* * *

She had fallen asleep on his shoulder. She looked so peaceful and beautiful when she slept. He smiled as he remembered the few times that she had fallen asleep in his arms. Her body had been warmly curled against his, her breath like a spring breeze on his chest and her heart thumping steadily, lulling him to sleep.

His memory abruptly turned to a night in her bathroom when he had been so desperate for her love. He had gone there in a reckless bid to somehow win her back. What he did made him sick. Silver tears traced down his cheeks as he recalled how much he had hurt her. He had been ready to do anything to make it right but in his heart he knew that nothing could make up for that one night, not even a stake to his silent heart.

So, he went and got himself a shiny, new soul. He had thought that would change things between them. It had. He was now nearly insane with voices in his head and the pain of a heightened conscience prodding him with all of his past misdeeds. He had trouble even looking her in the eyes these days. His shame and self-loathing almost got the best of him so often.

He gave himself a good mental shake. C’mon now Spike, old boy. Keep it together. Buffy’s in a tough spot. You have to be strong and help her out of it.

He slowly and gently moved her body into his arms and stood. As he took a step toward the cot, she sighed heavily and opened her exquisite green eyes. “Spike? What are you doing?” It wasn’t an accusation, just a softly-spoken question.

“I’m going to tuck you into bed, luv,” he said quietly.

At that, she smiled and snuggled into his chest. He carried her to the cot and managed to move the blankets so that she could lie on the mattress and pillow. He laid her down lightly and reached for the blankets that had been scooted onto the floor. He covered her diminutive, deceptively delicate-looking form and tenderly brushed her hair back from her face.

Buffy’s eyes opened and she looked straight into Spike’s soul. In that unguarded moment, she saw overwhelming love and regret in his brilliant blue eyes.

“Spike?”

“Yes, pet?”

“Stay with me?”

His face registered the shock that coursed through his brain. He watched her slide to the far edge of the cot and pat the mattress with her petite hand.

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Buffy.” Spike looked at the floor.

“I think it’s a very good idea,” she breathed. His eyes snapped to hers and she could see hope and doubt wrestling. “Spike, we’ve hurt each other so much.”

He shook his head and began, “No, I hurt…”

She held up her hand. “We have hurt each other. I’m not saying that things are great and that everything’s forgotten. There’s a lot of stuff between us. Hurtful stuff from both sides. But can’t we just put that aside for now? We’re both tired and could use a good rest before we face Darius again.”

Her smile was the sun on his face, warm and glorious. She held the blanket back and patted the mattress again.

“You sure?” he asked quietly.

She nodded. He eased down next to her on the cot holding an unneeded breath afraid to touch her. He felt her take his arm and wrap it around her shoulders before putting her head on his chest. As she sighed, he breathed in her scent. He loved how she smelled, just like vanilla and that certain something that made her unmistakably Buffy. If I die today, he thought, I can face death happily. He smiled and closed his eyes.

* * *

“Anya, are you sure?” Willow asked again.

Anya rolled her eyes. “Of course I’m sure. Darius’ portals are very specific. The only reason Spike was taken was probably because they were touching and he didn’t register as a person. Darius probably never figured on the Slayer socializing with vampires.”

Xander looked over at Willow in disgust. “Touching? You think there was touching?” His words tumbled over each other and Willow just shook her head in exasperation.

Dawn’s bottom lip began to tremble. “So does that mean that only Buffy can get to and from wherever this Darius guy has taken her?”

“Yes,” said Anya bluntly, “although I guess that Spike could come back too if he and Buffy were touching when they went through the portal.”

Xander shook himself and looked at Anya. “Okay, so we know about the problems in getting to Buffy. How about ways to kill Darius?”

All eyes swung to Anya. “Well, there’s really only one way to kill him. He has to be beheaded. But with his magick, it’s impossible to get close enough to do it. He could sense anyone else in the room with him. That’s why he was tricked into a magickal cage to begin with. No one could get close enough to destroy him.”

Willow looked at Anya pensively. “Well, he does seem relatively easy to kill IF you can sneak up on him or distract him enough.”

Dawn was staring off into space, remembering something that she had overheard Buffy saying to Giles and the gang. She had told them that the monks made Dawn out of her. Her blood was the same as Buffy’s. That was it! It just might work!

Dawn looked at Willow, Xander and Anya and blurted out, “I can go! Willow, didn’t Buffy once say that I was made from her blood? The monks made me from her. That should mean that biologically…or…chemically…or…whatever, we’re the same! I can follow Buffy and Spike if you can get the portal open. Whatta you think?” She looked at each of them excitedly.

“Dawn, even if you could do it, I don’t think Buffy would want you in that much danger. I know that I don’t.” Xander looked at her sympathetically. “We’ll find another way.”

Anya piped up, “Xander, I think she might be on to something there. The portal should recognize her and Darius might not sense her right away because she and Buffy are of the exact same blood.”

Willow stood up. “Now wait a minute. Are you saying that Dawn is our only hope here? I can’t accept that kind of risk.”

“Really, Willow. Be practical. Do you want Buffy back or not?” Anya asked.

Willow looked at Xander. “What do you think?”

“I just don’t know, Will,” Xander sighed.

“Hey! Quit talking about me like I’m not in the room! I’m right here and I think I should get to decide whether or not I go!” Dawn stomped her foot once, just for emphasis. She suddenly got very still and looked them each in the eyes in turn. “I’ve lost so much already. I can’t lose my sister, too.” Dawn’s eyes began to fill with tears.

Xander, Willow and Anya looked at each other. They realized that she was their only hope.

Willow said quietly, “Dawn, you’re right. We’ve all lost so much. Let’s not lose anymore than we have to. If you’re sure you want to go through with this, Anya and I will work on a spell to open the portal. Xander will work with you on a strategy for when you reach Buffy and Spike.”

Dawn smiled weakly. “Let’s get started.”

* * *

Darius smiled contentedly. Everything was going according to plan or closely enough. He would drain the girl of that delicious elemental essence and then kill the vampire. He had sensed the love between the vampire and the girl. If he could torture the vampire while achieving his agenda, so much more the better. He couldn’t wait to feel the vampire’s agony as he watched the girl die. Besides, in polite society women always went first.

* * *

“Dawn, are you sure you know what to do?” Xander gripped the sword tightly and waited for her reply.

“Yes, yes! I know! Take the sword to Buffy, then get Darius’ attention so that Buffy can whack his head off.” Dawn rolled her eyes. They expected her to play delivery girl. Jeez!

“Good.” Xander patted Dawn on the shoulder.

Willow walked into the living room of Dawn’s and Buffy’s home. “Xander, Anya and I need some ingredients for the spell. We’ll be back in two shakes.”

Xander nodded at Willow as she and Anya stepped onto the porch and walked toward Xander’s car. Willow jingled Xander’s car keys nervously as she and Anya slid into the warm interior.

“Anya?” Willow looked over at the brunette to find Anya regarding her silently. “If I can’t handle this magic, you realize that you’ll have to finish the spell alone.”

“I know.” Anya said succinctly. “And if your hair goes all black and your face gets all veiny, I’ll probably have to kill you.” Anya buckled her seat belt calmly and then looked at Willow and smiled.

Willow shook her head and started the car, laughing softly. “I knew I could count on you.”

* * *

Buffy woke with a start. She looked at her surroundings and felt disoriented until the events of the last twelve hours flooded her mind. She looked up at Spike as he started to stir. She had spent some of the most restful sleep of her life in his arms. Even in a situation as bad as this, he brought her peace.

Spike opened his eyes and felt Buffy’s gaze on him. His arms were wrapped around her and her leg was slung over his with her arm across his stomach. He glanced down at her sheepishly and smiled. How he loved waking up like this!

Buffy smiled back and began untangling herself delicately from him. “Well, I guess we should get up and take another look around,” she said brightly.

“Right,” he replied quickly and started to sit up.

Buffy put her hand on his arm and said quietly, “Thank you for last night, Spike. I hope you slept as well as I did.”

Spike grinned at her lopsidedly. “Yeah, I did. And you’re welcome.”

With that they both got up and started going over their cold, stone cell inch by inch again.

* * *

The full moon had already risen by the time Anya, Xander, Dawn and Willow made it back to the alley behind the Bronze. Willow and Anya had spent all day getting the ingredients and wording ready for the spell that they would be performing shortly. Xander and Dawn had paced through the house for most of the day, neither one able to sit still for long.

Xander and Dawn stood aside while Willow used her wiccan senses to locate the exact spot where Buffy had been standing when she had been transported by Darius. Willow turned slowly in a small area of the alley. With her eyes closed, she began to feel the unpleasant vibrations caused by dark magicks. By trial and error, she found the spot where the vibrations were the strongest. She opened her eyes and looked at them keenly. “This is it.”

* * *

Buffy and Spike sat on the bed glumly. They had been over their cell for hours and discussed every possible escape scenario. It seemed hopeless.

“How long do you think we have until the moon reaches its full height?” Buffy stared at her hands.

“Maybe half an hour. Maybe not quite.” He looked at the floor. They were in trouble and he knew it. “Listen Buffy. I just want you to know that I will fight to the death for you. He’ll have to take you over my dead body.” She giggled on the verge of hysteria. He looked at her and smirked, “Well, okay…over my ashes then?”

Buffy turned toward him. “Spike, listen to me. I know that we’re in a tight spot. We’ve been in tight spots before but this one feels different. Darius is seriously going to kill me if he can and I’m not sure he can’t. In a fight, I could take him. Hell, Dawn could take him but I can’t fight his magick.” Buffy thought sadly about her little sister. Did Dawn even know what happened to her? It must have looked like they disappeared off the face of the planet.

Spike gazed deeply into her eyes. “Buffy, if we die today I want to tell you some things.” As Buffy started to protest, Spike put a loving finger against her lips. “I want you to know how deeply I regret all the bad things that happened between us, especially…the night I left. I know that you can never forgive me for that and I don’t dare ask. What I do ask is that you accept that I loved you then and I love you now. I love you with all my heart.”

Tears were obstructing Buffy’s vision. As they streamed down her cheeks, he reached up and brushed them soothingly from her face. “Spike, I did things just as bad to you. I called you an evil, soulless thing even after you had done so much good for me and everyone. I beat you when you tried to help me and you never tried to hit me back. I used you and broke your heart over and over. I know you love me, Spike. I care for you deeply and missed you so much while you were gone. I forgave you a long time ago for that night. Can you ever forgive me for all that I did?”

She began to sob now and Spike gathered her in his arms. He stroked her hair and held her while she cried. “Shh, pet. It’s alright. You don’t need forgiveness but you know that I’ll always give you anything you want. We did hurt each other but that’s over. Let’s just start over right here and now. Let’s pledge to never hurt one another again.”

He pulled her shaking form away from his chest and put a finger under her chin. She looked up at him and he gently swept the hair out of her face.

She smiled weepily at him. “We could have a clean slate? No hurting each other from now on?”

Spike nodded. “Since we only have about another 10 minutes to live, it should be a piece of cake.”

Buffy chuckled at Spike’s crooked smile. As she quieted, she caught Spike’s eyes and held them. She knew time was short. She wanted them to face the next few moments clearly and with nothing left undone. Buffy put her hands tenderly on each side of Spike’s face and pulled him toward her. His eyes were wide as he realized what she was doing. He never allowed himself to dream that he might once again kiss those heavenly lips.

As their lips met, tears escaped two sets of eyes to leave silvery trails on their cheeks as eyes slid shut in fulfillment.

“How sweet! A slayer and a vampire in love.” Darius’ voice dripped with sarcasm, startling them both and ending their kiss. “The moon is reaching its zenith. Almost your moment to shine, Miss Summers.”

Spike jumped up and stood in front of Buffy. His eyes glowed yellow as he snarled, “You’ll have to go through me to get at her, mate!”

Darius laughed sending shivers down their spines. “You, William the Bloody, will have the distinct honor of watching your beloved die and then experiencing firsthand my ripened powers.”

Spike tried to leap at Darius but found that he could not. In fact he couldn’t move anything! He quickly analyzed his body and realized he was paralyzed from the neck down. “Buffy!”

* * *

Willow was sweating profusely and chanting with Anya inside the circle. Dawn was standing by with the sword that she was to take to Buffy.

Xander and Dawn turned as a bright light began to shine behind them. As the light began to grow, swirl and glow blue, Willow yelled, “Dawn! Now!”

* * *

The jump was bizarre to say the least. One moment Dawn was in the alley and the next moment she was in a small stone room with poor lighting and dust floating in the air.

She looked around and saw an odd little man. His back was to her. He had stringy white hair down hanging limply down his back. She wrinkled her nose at his poor fashion sense as she took in his brown sack of a robe. She could see Spike standing to the man’s left, still as death and watching the man closely. She could see Buffy over the man’s left shoulder. Buffy was motionless too. Definitely not of the good, Dawn thought.

Dawn’s mind was now processing the scene before her very rapidly. Odd little man must be Darius. Spike and Buffy seem paralyzed. Darius is between her and Buffy. The plans that they had made to get Buffy the sword were now null and void.

Dawn moved cat-like so that she was standing more to Darius’ right and could see her sister over the man’s right shoulder. She glanced quickly at Spike and saw his head whip toward her and his eyes pop open in shock at seeing her and a big blue swirling hole behind her.

Spike thought quickly. Dawn was here and he just had to believe that the long, gleaming sword she carried would be enough to save them all. “Darius, you flea on the arse of a diseased sheep!! Take this whammy off and face me like the man you wish you were!” Spike was shouting at the top of his lungs, so to speak. Got to give the Bit some time to do what she needs to do, he thought.

Dawn saw Darius’ head swivel toward Spike. “Silence, vampire!” Darius bellowed.

At that moment, Buffy noticed her. Oh my God! Dawn is here! Why is Dawn here? Buffy began to panic. Then she saw the blue spinning vortex and the sword. She’s here to save us. The thought of her sister in so much danger chilled Buffy to the bone.

Buffy picked up on Spike’s verbal attempt to distract Darius. “Yeah, you little piss-ant! Let us go and see how long you last!”

Darius turned back to her and grinned evilly. “Ah, a bid for a few more moments of life, I take it?” Darius shook his head slowly. “Nothing will save you now, Miss Summers.”

Darius advanced on Buffy and laid his hands on her chest. Dawn could see her sister’s head swinging from side to side in a futile attempt to break free of her invisible prison.

Buffy and Darius began to glow and she heard her sister scream in pain. Spike started spewing curses and threats at the man and struggled to move.

Dawn hesitated a split second and saw Darius stiffen.

Darius cocked his head, listening closely for some hint of a sound. In his thirst for the primal force encased in the tiny Slayer’s body, he hadn’t noticed that very faint blue glow until this moment. Greed warred with caution in his mind. He felt a familiar vibration behind him. But wasn’t the Slayer here, in his very hands? He released Buffy, who was unconscious but still upright due to the energy field, and began to turn slowly.

This is it, thought Dawn. She raised the sword and took one step forward. “Hey Merlin!” Dawn shouted.

Darius turned his head just in time to see the fatal blow coming. As his head rolled into the corner of the room, Buffy slumped to the floor and Spike rushed over to her prone form.

Dawn ran to Buffy and Spike. Spike opened his mouth to speak but Dawn cut him off. “We have got to get back through that portal now,” she gestured at the light. “I don’t know how long Willow can hold it open.”

Spike nodded once and scooped up Buffy. He and Dawn ran toward the vortex and bounded through.

* * *

Xander, Willow, Spike and Anya were sitting at the dining room table at Rovello Drive.

“You know that Dawn is some amazing girl,” Xander said as Spike finished recounting, once again, what had happened.

They all nodded their heads and smiled at each other. Dawn had really come through for all of them.

Anya piped up, “She saved the world, not just Buffy and Spike. Well technically, she saved this dimension. I don’t know if Darius planned to go to any other dimensions. I guess with the slayer’s powers he could have gone any..”

Willow broke in, “Anya you’re exactly right. Dawn has done a lot of growing up lately. She thinks fast on her feet and has the courage of a lion.”

Dawn walked in beaming. “Courage like a lion, huh? Yeah, I can live with that.”

“How’s Buffy?” Spike inquired softly.

Dawn smiled at him. “She’s better but she’ll need to rest for a little while longer, IF I can make her stay in bed.” Dawn rolled her eyes. “Oh, by the way Spike, she asked to see you.” Dawn watched Spike’s face change from discomfort to barely contained joy.

“Oh. Well, I guess I’d better see what she wants then.” Spike rose to his feet and went up the stairs two at a time.

The others sat at the table chatting about their latest adventure when Dawn stood and slipped from the room.

She was going to take Buffy a soda and see if Spike wanted anything. She grabbed a can from the fridge and strolled up the stairs. Buffy’s door was slightly open so she pushed it the rest of the way open with her free hand. She was greeted with a view of Spike and Buffy sitting on the bed, kissing tenderly.

Dawn backed out of the room quietly and closed the door. She was smiling happily as she sauntered back down the stairs.

THE END

The Challenge:

“Ok, here's something that has been milling around in my head for a while. I know we've seen Dawn do some slayage now, but to make up for all the times she got kidnapped and Buffy had to rescue her, I'd like to see a fic where the roles are reversed. Buffy gets kidnapped and Dawn has to save her. I'd prefer it if you didn't make Dawn a Slayer or anything like that, just a regular girl who can take care of herself. Obviously you can put as much B/S stuff in it as you like (maybe Dawn has to save Buffy AND Spike)”